The Monroe Messenger

Our November was full of so many wonderful events and highlights at James Monroe! We continue to be grateful for our staff, students, and families. This past month our students raised over $1700 through penny wars and celebrated what we are all thankful for throughout the month. Additionally, we welcomed over 200 families into the classrooms for American Education Week.

We have some exciting events upcoming for the month of December and some important updates and reminders. Enjoy reading through our November highlights and information regarding our upcoming Winter Stroll and Holiday Boutique!

We are wishing all of our families a Happy New Year and wonderful holiday season.

Warmly,

Cynthia Tufaro, principal

Maggie Callahan, assistant principal

As the weather is getting colder, please be sure your children are dressed appropriately. Remember to check the weather for the need of WARM coats, gloves, scarves and hats. We will go outside for recess as long as the "real feel" is above 32 degrees for healthy fresh air and exercise!

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Jennifer Altman, 1st grade teacher and Educator Support Professional of the year, Ms. Erin Somes, library aid. We are grateful for their contributions to our school community and proud to honor them!

Donations can be made by using the QR code attached or by bringing in cash to school on December 1st.

We will also be serving breakfast for lunch on Friday, December 1st to match our theme! Wednesday, November 29th will be pizza day instead.

Congratulations on a job well done to all of our students! They raised a total of $$1,775.74

...THAT IS AMAZING!!! The James Monroe PTO would like to thank each and every one of our students, especially the Student Council, and staff for their support in helping make this a successful (and FUN) event! Stay tuned for photos from the winning class getting to silly string their principals!

Families who qualify for Free and Reduced lunch program may also be eligible for savings each month on their connectivity access.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Join us for our annual winter stroll on Friday, December 8th (rain date Dec. 15th) at 6:00pm! View children's crafts in our lit up garden, ride the holiday train and enjoy some delicious treats. Free entry for all!

*$3.00 to ride the train at the event or bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots for a FREE ride.

Please consider donating nut free cookies for the event.

We hope to see you at this wonderful annual tradition.

Our media club reporters have been busy collecting news, images and videos to create our first episode of the Whoos News! Check it out!

More information will be sent home including the form to send back in with your child.

Holiday Boutique will be held on December 4th, 5th and 6th; students can bring their money in to shop on their designated shopping day. We will accept cash or check (payable to James Monroe PTO). "Personal shoppers" will be available to help your child pick gifts based on the budget/money you provide! Please email Monroeowlspto@gmail.com with any questions or to volunteer during the event!

This year students in grades K-4 will be graded using a standards based report card. They will be in the portal on December 13th. Students in 5th grade will continue to receive letter grades on their report cards. See below for additional information.

What are Standards Based Report Cards?

Standards based report cards provide parents with more precise information about how your child is progressing in school. The report cards identify progress within each standard, offering parents useful information on where additional work may be needed. They facilitate collaboration between parents and educators in their efforts to help students improve their performance and identifies specific learning goals within the curriculum so that appropriate rigor can be ensured. Standards based report cards are proven to bring about higher levels of success due to their specificity and consistency within grading.

The standards addressed in the district report cards measure student’s progress towards the mastery of the state’s grade level goals of teaching and learning. They explain precisely what we want our students to know and be able to do as a result of their experiences in school. To learn more about the New Jersey Student Learning standards, click here.

Please join us in the cafeteria or virtually at or next PTO meeting on December 5th at 6:00 pm. A link will be shared to join virtually as well before the meeting.

These are the words Dory shares with her new found friend, Marlin.

We are so excited to share the journey of friendship and perseverance with all of you as the Drama Club proudly presents~

Finding Nemo- the Musical

Mrs. Sanchez and Mrs. Romeo are hard at work creating schedules and discussing ideas for our production. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and challenging educational environment through the completion of a musical production. We strive to provide a high-quality and diverse experience in all areas of the performing arts. In this light, it is our goal to foster an appreciation, understanding, and love of the performing arts with a clear intent to touch the heart, engage the mind, and transform lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for the young people in our program.

The 2023-24 Drama Club interest letters were returned with great enthusiasm!

We look forward to our callbacks for those students interested in speaking roles and solos in grades 3-5.

We also look forward to welcoming our young thespians in grades kindergarten through fifth grade to the world of theater!! Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.

Ms.Buzy and Ms. Speckin are very excited to start working with our students in the Production Club to help bring the musical, Finding Nemo, to life. Members of the Production Club either help with set and prop design, work as members of our Public Relations Committee, or for some 5th grade members, an opportunity to be a part of our backstage crew!

Additional information will be coming home soon for those students interested in working with the Production Club!

Please view the attached flyer with information regarding reporting absences.

Children can purchase snacks after they eat lunch on Tuesday and Thursdays!